2014 Player Review - # 4 Jack Watts

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Can't stay upright for more than a few minutes.

[beelzebub 23,313]

Can't stay upright for more than a few minutes.

I believe hes sponsored by AMF... not AHG !!

[old dee 23,762]

I believe hes sponsored by AMF... not AHG !!

Sharp this morning bb!

[whatwhat say what 22,658]

We all know he has deficencies and strengths.

My main thing for wanting to keep him is that we have very, very few players with around 100 games experience in the 22-25 year old age bracket - in fact, we have few players in that key bracket period,

6th for possessions

5th for marks

8th for tackles (says a lot, really!)

6th for afl fantasy points (not that that means a great deal)

6th for goals

5th for afl player ratings points

All this playing as a 'push-up forward' - I think the experiment of Watts in the midfield lasted all of about the first fortnight of the season?

Unless we can replace him with a player who can come through and play in our midfield in the 22-25 age bracket with around 75-100 games experience, I see no benefit in trading him.

As noted by someone else, in a top 4 team his deficencies would be masked; in a bottom 2 team, they're amplified.

I would rather let Roos continue to mould him into a player. I've completely given up on the notion of him being a 'star' (although when I think about his second half in the win vs the Tigers I think he still could be) and instead just want him to be a regular and reliable contributor, which I think he still can be.

[jazza 1,323]

He is an AFL standard player, and we don't have many of those on our list.

If we can bring in another 3 players who have an immediate impact this preseason, Watts will be a much better player for it.

Personally, I'd only trade him for a player, not a pick, and that player would need to have good skills and be an upgrade in terms of attack on the football. I doubt we'd get a trade like that for him, so he is a keep.

So if "we dont bring in 3 more players?

Its our fault he didnt get better?

In good footy teams,outside delivery players are a dime a dozen.

In chit teams{yes us}the first place s on your list go to grunters and then you fill in the holes .

As george-on -the-outer post,players doing the tough stuff hate outside cream puffs{JW}cancer has plagued our club for years and we are still scared to get rid of it.

could be worse,we could have the lazy,non chasing,non tackling J.Garlett playing for us and kicking 35 goals a year from the forward pocket.

Edited September 11, 2014 by jazza

[watchtheeyes 1,417]

I took a wide berth of this thread when it first popped up, no one wanted my one eye casting positivity over the criticism. However, after watching the season review from Jack on MFC.com I thought I'd make a wee comment.

For one, the fact that he was asked to do a video review of the season alongside Jones and Vince (so far) tells me that he is highly regarded within the club. That in itself means nothing about whether he will be traded, but its something.

His responses about Roos were most telling for me; constantly joking with Roosy about the criticism, always been in support, probably don't thank him enough etc.

Jack is Roos' project. He is very much a part of the legacy that Roosy wants to leave on the club. He was the one who backed in him from day dot, encouraging him to stay on for the good of the club. He has supported him endlessly throughout the year, and now we hear about a father son type relationship that they seem to share.

Alongside the high esteem he is clearly held in within the club, it is obvious to me (and perhaps me alone) that those who wish him offloaded in the upcoming trade period, will be sorely disappointed.

[jnrmac 20,053]

are his attributes completely different to vinces?

If you disagree, state your reasons.

Watch the North game and you'll see him trotting 5 metres behind his opponent. Roos had to move him at least twice in that game.

Forget that he can kick the ball, he just can't get it unless someone else does the hard work.

Yes.

Vince can win a clearance for starters. Vince runs harder, tackles more often, delivers inside 50 more regularly, gets more possessions, wins more contests and generally works much harder. Is in many ways a much better player and is a genuine midfielder.

He's the king of the uncontested possession.

In a top 6 side he'd be easily carried and his deficiencies masked over.

In a bottom 6 side his deficiencies are exposed.

He just doesn't get enough of the ball to be influential enough.

That enough answers for you Deez?

The stats are overwhelmingly different. Vince is a hard at it, inside mid. Can get his own ball. Which bit of that is similar to Watts?

[Surfer Dee 210]

I still think Watts should be developed as a midfielder. He clearly didn't have the tank for it this year.

Remember the first game of the season against St. Kilda? That was the best game I've seen from him. Roos obviously bailed on that idea when it became obvious there was no one likely to kick any goals in our whole team without Dawes, Hogan and with Howe in defence.

Worth another try in my opinion.

Edited September 18, 2014 by Surfer Dee

[beelzebub 23,313]

Yep...just one more preseason ought to do it...for sure

[PaulRB 6,336]

Reckon Jack will start to hit his straps next year - maturing nicely and starting to show some hunger for respect.

Good signs.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-09-19/i-want-to-remain-a-demon-watts

[Biffen 12,940]

His relentless attack on the ball and dogged contesting ability remain his best attributes.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,218]

His relentless attack on the ball and dogged contesting ability remain his best attributes.

His relentless attack on the ball, total disregard for personal safety, and dogged contesting ability remain his best attributes.

[Biffen 12,940]

His relentless attack on the ball, total disregard for personal safety, and dogged contesting ability remain his best attributes.

Too many 21sts in Brighton,

It's nice to give everyone a turn.

I had the same issues with my career.

[Moonshadow 17,675]

His relentless attack on the ball, total disregard for personal safety, and dogged contesting ability remain his best attributes.

Not to mention the fierce hugs with his mates over the members boundary fence after a rare win.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,218]

Too many 21sts in Brighton,

It's nice to give everyone a turn.

I had the same issues with my career.

Which career would that be Biff?

[Biffen 12,940]

Which career would that be Biff?

Football BBO.

Short lived but I got the job done most weekends.

[btdemon 482]

Despite all of Jack's shortcomings, the interview says something about his character. It would be difficult to remember a player who has had the burden of as much expectation as Jack, and his failure to deliver on those expectations has placed him under more critical scrutiny than any player I can remember. The negative commentary, speculation and slurs on his character have been a steady flow over the past few years with the derogatory comments peaking after his notably poor games. I too, don't claim to be innocent in this regard. My daughter told me off for loudly bagging his apparent lack of effort at a game earlier this year.

What impressed me about the interview is his willingness to cop that criticism on the chin and remain positive. That in itself, shows a real strength. Some on this forum would claim that he just doesn't care enough to be troubled by it but I doubt very much that that is the case. He appears to be aware of his reputation and still manages to remain positive. i can't help but admire it. His team mates obviously value him also. I agree that maybe he is a pet project of Paul Roos and would be disappointed to see him traded. He is the most skilled player, with ball in hand, that we have. I agree with all those who state that he needs to get his own ball more often though.

Edited September 20, 2014 by btdemon

[baysidedave 246]

I took a wide berth of this thread when it first popped up, no one wanted my one eye casting positivity over the criticism. However, after watching the season review from Jack on MFC.com I thought I'd make a wee comment.

For one, the fact that he was asked to do a video review of the season alongside Jones and Vince (so far) tells me that he is highly regarded within the club. That in itself means nothing about whether he will be traded, but its something.

His responses about Roos were most telling for me; constantly joking with Roosy about the criticism, always been in support, probably don't thank him enough etc.

Jack is Roos' project. He is very much a part of the legacy that Roosy wants to leave on the club. He was the one who backed in him from day dot, encouraging him to stay on for the good of the club. He has supported him endlessly throughout the year, and now we hear about a father son type relationship that they seem to share.

Alongside the high esteem he is clearly held in within the club, it is obvious to me (and perhaps me alone) that those who wish him offloaded in the upcoming trade period, will be sorely disappointed.

I'm with you all the way, keep him, he is a Melbourne player for career, l like him and always have, sick to death of the pessimistic and derogatory 'fans'

Edited September 20, 2014 by baysidedave

[baysidedave 246]

I'm with you all the way, keep him, he is a Melbourne player for career, l like him and always have, sick to death of the pessimistic and derogatory 'fans'

and he has copped more flack than any other footballer in the history of game, just get the f*%k of his back................

[beelzebub 23,313]

You know....when he can either 1) stand up in a tackle...or 2) deliver one with effect then a lot of naysayers will go quiet.

Until then he's all talk....talk...... and talk. Not many games won debating !!

Sorry..Action speaks ....words have no currency. He needs to do something instead of waffling on every eos !! If he can, good , if he cant...bye

Edited September 22, 2014 by beelzebub

[Bay Riffin 1,471]

Its disheartening when you watch the top teams fight out the prelims and we keep arguing whether Jack Watts is a decent player or not.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,326]

I read above Watts was 8th in tackles, something that most of our side is guilty of is half arsed tackles. The player being tackled shouldn't be able to dispose of the ball. Dawes had a quiet year but he did put a few people into the grass.

[Go the Biff 3,414]

Is the penny dropping ?

"Despite his ability to play as a utility, Watts still has some clear areas he wants to improve next year.

“I want to become a better forward and marking forward. I want to get harder over the ball and I want to win my own footy more and I [want to work on] my concentration lapses,” he said."

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-09-22/versatility-remains-focus-for-watts

[Sir Why You Little 36,955]

Is the penny dropping ?

"Despite his ability to play as a utility, Watts still has some clear areas he wants to improve next year.

I want to become a better forward and marking forward. I want to get harder over the ball and I want to win my own footy more and I [want to work on] my concentration lapses, he said."

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-09-22/versatility-remains-focus-for-watts

Just Do It

[whatwhat say what 22,658]

He talks a great talk.